Ryuu IF: Justice Comes Around
Chapter 2: First Steps
"We save the weak and punish the strong! And sometimes punish both! Integrity is justice, as our scale of righteousness defines! We value order, and cherish smiles! On our back rests the sword and wings of justice! —We're Astraea Familia!"
Alise Lovell
Ryuu ate dinner like it was her last meal, as if she hadn't eaten in weeks. Well, she hadn't eaten in weeks back in the… future. So while her body in the present wasn't starving, her brain hadn't exactly gotten the memo. And while Ryuu hadn't necessarily meant to do that, it served well in that the rest of the girls gave her space to eat in peace without being bothered. Ryuu had to admit with some embarrassment that her table manners hadn't been the most elegant; what other reason could the other girls have avoided her?
Ryuu was just glad that all the girls of Astraea Familia were alive. It did not mean, however, that Ryuu felt comfortable interacting with them. And frankly, Ryuu has been in constant fight or flight mode for months. The idea of having the leisure to just… talk and enjoy their presence was completely foreign. And unacceptable. There was much Ryuu needed to do, and not a lot of time to do it. Each moment wasted was an increased chance of Ryuu failing to prevent the Grand Feud.
So upon the completion of her meal, Ryuu was quick to retreat to her room before anyone could try and talk to her. No one aside from Alise tried to stop her, and even then it was just a pleasing look that Ryuu easily (barely) ignored. It was just a simple fact that Ryuu was still processing herself that she was back in time. It was also still hard to believe that the girls around her were 'real'. As anything more than figments of her imagination. It was hard. And she was lost.
Her daily continuity had been shattered. Albeit, the continuity of constantly fighting monsters with barely any sleep at all wasn't one that Ryuu would be missing anytime soon. It was just jarring to go from the 'simplicity' of constantly fighting against monsters to the complicated intrigue of the Evilus insurgency. The complicated balance of interpersonal relationships combined with grief and loss.
So Ryuu sat in her room, deep in thought as she waited for the sun to finally set over the horizon. Thinking on what her next steps should be all the while.
Ryuu was quick to decide that even if this was some sick long lasting dream, that she wanted to fix as much of the past as possible. Ryuu had about 7 years before her Hero would come to Orario, and Ryuu hoped to leave the city in the state where he could focus on getting as strong as possible via the Dungeon without having to worry about the threat of the Evilus Remnant that they had gotten caught up in during the 'future'.
In the short to medium term, that meant doing all she could to prevent or at least mitigate the damage of the Grand Feud.
Ryuu wasn't exactly sure where she was in the past, just that the Grand Feud hadn't happened yet, but that it had to be soon. Ryuu estimated that it could easily be as soon as 2 to 4 weeks from now. Ryuu would know that the event was fast approaching when attacks on Magic Stone factories increased in frequency.
Ryuu knew that the best way to prevent the Grand Feud was to attack Evilus before Evilus could launch their offensive. That meant acquiring keys to Knossos so that their impregnable fortress would be vulnerable to attack. Knossos wasn't the only Evilus stronghold, but if it didn't fall then neither would Evilus. Ryuu would either need to hope that she could draw out the higher ups of Evilus who likely carried keys, or ambush Evilus at one of the many entrances to Knossos in order to steal a key.
With a key, it would be relatively simple to convince a coalition to gather for a siege of Knossos. As much as Ryuu loathed it, but the Dark Age was a time when Loki and Freya Familias actually sort of worked together for a common cause. There would be plenty of strong and easily gathered adventurers to call upon — even if it meant ignoring personal grudges.
Ryuu also hoped to locate Alfia the Silent, who was also apparently Bell's maternal Aunt. Bell had been shocked when sharing that information with her shortly before that final battle. Apparently Hermes and Zeus of all people loved their secrets. Regardless, if Ryuu got into contact with Alfia, there was a chance that Ryuu could convince the suicidal woman to stand down. Honestly, Ryuu doubted that she could convince Alfia without doing battle with the woman. But she had to try. For Bell. So that he might finally get a chance to meet his blood family before they are permanently lost to him.
Another goal Ryuu would like to achieve would be to acquire a weapon to match her Status. The main problem being that Ryuu doubted her finances at this point in time were anywhere good enough to make a weapon that could handle her full power; Ryuu was not ignorant of how she had moved at speeds and power greater than her Level 4 self should be capable of. Ryuu would just need to make due with easily breakable 2nd Class weapons until she can acquire the materials to craft something like Alf's Lumina again.
Ryuu then turned her thoughts to all of the people she knew outside of Astraea Familia…
Ryuu remembers that Chloe and Luniore would have first come to Orario sometime within the past year. They were also likely somewhere in the Level 3 range, perhaps getting close to hitting Level 4… and were currently working as an Assassin and Bounty Hunter respectively. Knowing those girls intimately and aware of her own very spotty charisma, Ryuu doubted she could convince the two of them to give up their lives of tomfoolery to join her on a path of righteousness. Ryuu was self aware enough to know that the call of Justice was not one that most sane people were willing to answer.
"Actually…" Ryuu hummed. It would be good to make sure that all of the people she knows and loves are able to get as strong as possible so they can better defend themselves. Ryuu resolved to try and convince Chloe and Luniore to join her in Astraea Familia should she happen to run into them; in the meantime, Ryuu would try to keep an eye out for them. Ryuu had a feeling she might not be able to dedicate the time needed to go out of her way to hunt them down.
Anya, meanwhile, was a complicated situation. If Ryuu recalls correctly, Anya is already an outcast of Freya Familia and is working at the Hostess with Mama Mia… and Syr. Anya is a klutz and a gentle soul. She doesn't mind rough housing, but she really only cares about fighting when it's to protect people she cares about. Asking Anya to train up for the inevitable clash with the Black Dragon is gonna be a tough sell. Anya retired from being an Adventurer for a reason. But then again, Anya had been at the Final Battle… and had died there.
No, the real hold up was that Ryuu wasn't sure if she could handle seeing Anya. Seeing Anya's eyes look at her without a shred of recognition. The prospect of Anya saying to her, 'Welcome to the Hostess of Fertility, nya! Do you want the bar or a table, nya?'
Ryuu had never seen Anya's corpse. But to see her alive, but without the memories they both shared… It was like another death. And Ryuu didn't want to add another scar to her heart. She could bear it, her heart was more wounds than unmarred flesh. But Ryuu was already bearing so much. Ryuu was willing to be weak on this front. At least with Chloe and Luniore the relationship could be reduced to just business. (Or so Ryuu lied to herself.)
Perhaps seeing 'Syr' was a good idea? Ryuu would always owe Freya a debt, no matter how much that stupid woman deluded herself into being a Machiavellian, otherworldly Goddess. Ryuu would never forget that Freya backed her Hero earnestly in the bid to defeat the Black Dragon. How Freya genuinely wished them happiness, and looked forward to doting on her c-children…
…
…
Ryuu's mood didn't like the reminder. If she stayed on this topic much longer, she wouldn't be able to hold herself back from strangling the very life out of—!
Ryuu's thoughts turned to her acquaintances she had acquired via her Hero. As far as she was aware, the only member of… her Hero's Familia currently in the city was the Pallum Liliruca Arde. Haruhime, the Renard, was still in the Far East while Welf Crozzo was likely still in Rakia. Mikoto and the rest of Takemikazuchi Familia were also still in the Far East. Naaza, Cassandra, and Daphne of Miach Familia have at most just become adventurers, but probably aren't as they would be about 11 years of age. They are nowhere near strong enough for the immediate threat. Nor are they in any more immediate danger than anyone else in the city. Ryuu will look for the existing and future members of Miach Familia at a later date. The Grand Feud takes priority
All-in-all, that meant there was really only Lili for Ryuu to look after for the moment. And considering Lili was an abused member of Soma Familia before joining… her Hero's Familia, it would be apt to say that Lili could use Ryuu's assistance the most. While Lili posed no real benefit for handling the Grand Feud, Lili was someone in need of rescuing. Ryuu had no intention of abandoning her. The only real problem, however, being that locating a specific lone, destitute Pallum child in the current state of Orario was like finding a needle in a haystack the size of Babel Tower. The second problem, a much lesser one, being the financial burden to legally remove Lili from Soma Familia's services. A problem that would make acquiring a 1st class weapon even more difficult, but it was a sacrifice that Ryuu was willing to bear if it meant being able to take care of her and Bell's precious people.
"Yosh…" Ryuu murmured, resolving to try and find Lili Arde right away. In memory of her Hero, Ryuu was honor-bound to look after Bell's loved ones. That, and she wanted to do it. There's nothing wrong with being a little selfish here and there.
Ryuu stood up and went to leave her room with the intent of heading for the armory, only to pause as she opened the door and found Alise leaning against the wall across from her.
"Yo!" Alise said with a salute and a cheeky grin.
"Alise… why are you here?" Ryuu asked in surprise.
"My Lion senses were tingling!" Alise said with a knowing grin, "I had the feeling that you would want to act on some of that foreknowledge up in your noggin' right away. And if you think I'm going to let you break the rules and not abide by the buddy system, then you are mistaken young lady!"
Astraea Familia currently had a protocol in place that essentially stated that anyone going out in public needed to go out with at least one other person with them. The Buddy System. The reasoning behind this policy was fairly obvious in light of how dangerous Orario was at this point in time. There was the added fact that members of the Familia of Justice were especially desirable targets for assassination by the forces of darkness.
It was also notable that Alise was the first person aside from Astraea to acknowledge the truth of Ryuu's travel through time. None of the other girls had really acknowledged that truth to Ryuu's face.
Ryuu blinked, before smiling fondly, "Don't blame me if you get bored."
"I'd never get bored with you, Lion!" Alise said honestly, "Though I get the feeling that it's going to be harder to get you to make funny faces now."
"Yes… I saw the 'real world' as Kaguya would put it," Ryuu said, explaining how she lost her childishness. "Come on, we have a child to find."
"Lead the way, Lion!" Alise said supportively, offering Ryuu a spare short sword. Not even asking Ryuu who they were looking for or why. Ryuu found Alise's free and unconditional trust to be both heartwarming and burdensome.
Ryuu silently accepted the weapon, and just like that they were off.
The city of Orario was blanketed in darkness as the sun fell below the horizon and dark clouds covered the entire sky. The only thing providing light for the streets were the magic lamp posts. And as if crying for all those fallen in war, rain gently fell from the sky like the mourning of a lover.
To Ryuu, however, the darkness was familiar. Reminding her of the future where the sun was constantly obscured by clouds and smoke as the entire planet burned. Her adventurer senses in combination with prolonged experience made it relatively easy for Ryuu to see through the darkness.
"So," Alise asked curiously as she followed Ryuu's lead, "Who are we looking for again?"
"We are looking for a Pallum girl by the name of Liliruca Arde," Ryuu answered matter-of-factly, "She goes by Lili for short, and was born into the Soma Familia. She should be around… 8 years old? Chestnut hair and eyes."
"That… well, she's gonna be difficult to find. I'm not gonna lie, Lion," Alise said, just stating a fact that such a description was one in a million. Ryuu might as well have described all young Pallum kids out there.
Alise then asked curiously, "What is Lili-chan to you?"
"Lili Arde is an excellent battlefield commander and tactician," Ryuu listed Lili's strong suits, "And has a spirit that can bear all the hopes of her race. She was a member of my Hero's Familia, serving in a Supporting and Ranged combat role. She was a friend."
A friend who died in the final battle. A friend who took command of the battle after—
"Wow, that's some high praise," Alise marveled, knowing that Ryuu wasn't the type to exaggerate, "Should Finn-sama be jealous?"
"Don't mention his name to me," Ryuu unexpectedly snarled.
"S-Sure!" Alise stammered, unable to hide her shock at Ryuu's sudden burst of aggression.
"That sorry excuse for a man is the farthest thing from a hero that exists," Ryuu started ranting viscerally, "And the entire Pallum race should be ashamed to be associated with him by proxy. He should consider himself lucky that I have no intention of punishing him for sins he has yet to commit."
"Okay, you have a history with him in the future. Got it," Alise said placatingly, "Though, uh, can you at least make sure to keep those thoughts to yourself in front of Lyra?"
"Right," Ryuu said, remembering that Lyra was one of Finn's many admirers for his hand in marriage. Ryuu then said, "Lyra has terrible taste in men."
"Somehow, I get the feeling that she wouldn't be offended and instead agree with you…" Alise joked. Lyra loved dark humor. And the Pallum girl would probably agree with the sentiment since Finn had basically already rejected her.
"Anyway, I'm also on the lookout for two other girls, but I don't think they'd be pleased to see me at this point in time…" Ryuu changed the subject, "They are not allied or sympathetic to Evilus, but also aren't exactly on the right side of the law…"
"I'm not sure whether to be surprised or not that you managed to make friends with criminals, Lion," Alise said, her grin never fading. Her presence warm like the sun at the top of the sky.
"To be fair, they retired after I beat them up," Ryuu added.
"Ah…" Alise drawled, "That explains it."
"...? How so?" Ryuu asked, curious as to what connection Alise had made.
"If there was anyone who could open someone's heart to Justice, it would be you Lion!" Alise said with an honest, proud smile on her face.
Ryuu's initial gut instinct was to deny Alise's words. After all, at that point in time, when Ryuu had first met with Chloe and Luniore, Ryuu had been running away from her sins. But Ryuu refrained from talking badly about herself as Bell's words rang in her head, 'Ryuu. Stop speaking so horribly about yourself. It's unseemly.'
Instead, Ryuu said, "You give me too much credit. I've only made it this far with the support of everyone who laid their lives down for my sake."
"Laid down…?" Alise murmured leadingly, but Ryuu felt no need to elucidate.
There was an awkward silence, at least as far as Alise was concerned, as they continued to walk through the dark, rainy streets of the city. Only the sound of rain hitting the ground, and the splattering of water puddles to disrupt the silence of a street normally consumed with the sounds of people moving to and fro.
"...Seriously though, how are we gonna find this girl?" Alise finally asked again, patting down her wet hair that was starting to frizz up from the rain, "It's kind of late, you know? Shouldn't she be taking shelter somewhere?"
"Lili-san is currently a victim of abuse," Ryuu stated casually, "I'm fairly certain her current accommodations are quite deplorable. Checking the alleyways of taverns near the Soma Familia headquarters should be sufficient."
"Uwah, depressing," Alise commented jokingly, but the empathy in her voice was so easily apparent even a child would notice it. Alise's heart reached out for the poor Pallum girl even though she's never seen her before. Alise was just trying to keep the mood up like she always does.
"In any case, I do believe I have picked up my Hero's propensity for being in the right place and time," Ryuu casually stated, "So things will likely work out. And if not, I'll just need to try again."
"I'm used to Kaguya saying arrogant things like that so casually. This is weird," Alise said with a giggle, and not in a bad way. No matter what Ryuu said, it didn't put Alise off for long.
"Seriously though, it's not like she's going to randomly appear right in front of us, right?" Alise said jokingly with a deprecating laugh.
"And stay out ya filthy Prum!" a gruff male voice called out from a tavern Ryuu and Alise were walking by.
The pair of women stopped in their tracks as a small Pallum child was tossed onto the sidewalk covered in a thin layer of water with a loud 'smack'!
There was a beat of silence as the man who threw the girl out of the tavern went back inside from his place at the doorway, ignoring everyone outside, while the two girls looked at the Pallum girl whose appearance increasingly matched Ryuu's imagination of a younger Lili Arde the longer they looked.
"No way…" Alise gasped out in disbelief, seeing the look of familiarity on Ryuu's face, "Seriously?"
"This is indeed most fortunate," Ryuu said with a lack of surprise, as if expecting this outcome to happen by sheer chance. Ryuu truly had picked up some bad habits from her Hero.
Lili, meanwhile, groaned in pain. Unseen tears mixing with the water in her face as she cried into the cold hard stone. Lili hadn't noticed or heard the banter of the duo of adventurers beside her. The young girl was trapped in her own mind, replaying how she'd been abused and taken advantage of by adventurers as she was loaned out by her Familia like a rented donkey. A living pack mule not even fit to lick the boots of—!
Ryuu knelt down into the water, gently lifting Lili up as she said, "Are you unharmed?"
Lili pulled herself out of Ryuu's arms, now in a sitting-kneel position, saying cautiously, "W-who are you?"
"I am Ryuu Lion," the elf introduced herself, "of Astraea Familia. I've been looking for you, Lili-san."
"Astraea Familia? L-Lili has done nothing wrong!" Lili panicked, thinking that the two of them were suspecting her of criminal or Evilus-related activity.
"You, like, aren't under arrest or anything like that!" Alise assured Lili, keeping her hands open and visible, "We were just on a late night patrol and saw what happened just now! The nerve of those people to throw you out, much less in this weather!"
"Y-Yes, er, thank you for the concern, adventurer-sama. B-but, as you can see, Lili really needs to find shelter…" Lili demurred, clearly trying to do anything to get the two adventurers to leave her alone. Lili had just been taken advantage of by adventurers, she wasn't going to trust other adventurers so easily, even from the Familia of Justice.
"...Perhaps we can reach a mutually beneficial arrangement," Ryuu offered. She knew Lili well enough to know of her aversion to adventurers and her propensity to only trust in others' selfishness. A 'transaction' was the only way Lili would be willing to hear Ryuu out.
"Y-yes?" Lili asked questioningly, in shock. The very idea of an adventurer even opening dialogue instead of dictating terms was foreign to her.
"I see in you a lot of untapped potential," Ryuu claimed truthfully, "I'd like to help nurture that. And in return, I'd like your assistance in bringing about peace and justice in these trying times and on the road ahead."
"L-Lili doesn't understand," Lili whispered. Potential? Her? She had tried becoming a conventional adventurer, but she was hopeless in combat. Literally everyone Lili has ever interacted with has said that the only thing Lili was good for was holding their bags. What was this elven adventurer up to, saying such obvious lies? But… elves were known for being horrid liars and constantly serious…
"It's simple!" Alise said with a grin, "Lion wants to give you a job and get you off the streets! And as far away from those bastards in Soma Familia as possible! Right, Lion?
"That's the jist of things, yes," Ryuu confirmed, offering her gloved hand to the Pallum girl, "Just say the word, and I will do everything in my power to save you. I implore you to say yes… but I will understand if you do not wish to accept my–"
"Pity?" Lili hissed.
"No, my compassion," Ryuu refuted, "I know what it's like to go hungry. What it's like to feel lost and hopeless. To feel utterly alone in the world. To feel like a monster."
"B-But, you're an adventurer…" Lili muttered, "of Astraea Familia…"
"I was saved by the kind words and actions of my Hero," Ryuu continued saying, as if to answer Lili's confusion, "And now I'd like to be the one reaching my hand out to others. So?"
Ryuu emphasized her open hand, "Will you take my hand, and follow me on the path of salvation? Or would you rather wallow in the depths of despair and solitude?"
Ryuu's desire to help was genuine. Not just because this was someone she knew. Not just because it was the right thing to do. It was because she could see herself in Lili. Ryuu knew what it was like to lose everyone, to be alone. Ryuu lost everyone she ever knew twice. She intimately knew what it was like to be at the edge of your limit, ready to break, and on the edge about to fall into the abyss.
Bell had been for her then. On that day deep in the Dungeon. Now it was her turn to be there for someone else.
There was a moment of silence, with rain and the sounds of the tavern the only thing breaking the silence. But as the moment passed, hiccups could be heard coming from the young, lonely girl before them. Lili, on some level, recognized that Ryuu really did understand her pain. And that Ryuu's compassion was genuine. Only someone who had truly suffered could have eyes like Ryuu's.
"P-please…" and so Lili begged, shakily putting her hand into Ryuu's open palm, "Please… save Lili! Anything… Lili would do anything… to not be alone anymore!"
"Shhh~" Ryuu hummed comfortingly as she hugged the smaller, crying girl to her bosom.
After a few moments, Ryuu felt a pair of arms wrap around her.
"Hehe…" Alise giggled as she joined in, turning it into a group hug.
"Having fun, Alise?" Ryuu huffed, a small blush on her cheeks.
"Yes, very much so," Alise smirked.
Ryuu closed her eyes, just for a few seconds, to enjoy this moment while it lasted. But after only allowing herself that tiny reprieve, Ryuu let the moment pass. Looking down into her arms, Ryuu noted that Lili had fallen asleep in her arms.
Ryuu informed Alise, saying, "Let's get going. This one needs to get out of the rain before she catches a cold."
"...! That's right!" Alise gasped, apparently not having thought of that as a potential issue.
Getting to their feet, Ryuu and Alise made their way back to Stardust Garden with their precious cargo held firmly in Ryuu's arms.
After returning to their Familia home, the duo quickly set about drying Lili off and getting her into some dry clothes – idly tossing her soaked and shredded rags that passed as clothing into the trash bin. Alise then took Lili to get her situated in her room for the night, likely assuming that Ryuu didn't like the idea of potentially having to cuddle with a young child; that Ryuu had only engaged in as much physical contact as she did because of the circumstances.
Ryuu was content to let Alise have the misconception that Ryuu still had no control over her Haphephobia. Ryuu still immensely disliked physical contact with a few exceptions, she was just better now at preventing herself from lashing out violently. Though contact with Lili and Kaguya didn't really do much in regards to Ryuu's phobia.
It also allowed Ryuu to ditch Alise. Ryuu ruthlessly took advantage of the fact that Alise assumed that Ryuu and her were done working for the night to immediately head back out into the pouring rain.
Ryuu's destination during this late hour? Daedalus Street.
Carefully following the signs so as to not get lost, Ryuu blatantly walked down the streets of what was arguably the most dangerous parts of Orario. And they'd be right, because Ryuu knew that the vast majority of Evilus' overt assets were hidden in the maze that was Daedalus Street. As well as possessing the largest quantity of entrances to Knossos. The main reason Orario's forces never dislodged Evilus from this district was because no one really bothered to try.
Daedalus Street was so confusing, that attempts to map the district repeatedly met in failure. So trying to purge criminal activity completely was a fool's errand. And Ryuu was very much a fool. As a result of her Crusade, Ryuu had spent more time in Daedalus Street than most. And she, for better or worse, remembered well a lot of the organizations, businesses, and warehouses she had destroyed in her Crusade.
She was currently headed for a warehouse deep within Daedalus Street that was discretely owned by the Van Graff Trading Corps. A trading company run by a family of the same name, they mainly transported silver, and other metals into the city for selling to blacksmiths and to local factories related to the Magic Stone industry.
What was less known was that the family hand long since strangled most other metal importers out of business with strong arm tactics. And that they gladly extracted and smuggled in poached metals and other material into the city in order to sell them under the table for even more massive profits.
Ryuu remembers this organization well. She recalls being particularly offended upon discovering that the Van Graffs had been illegally mining and smuggling in Serios from her home forest of Ryumulua; Serios being a mineral that was relatively durable and increased the effects of magic power. However, most of the mineral veins were located in areas that would cause massive damage to local ecosystems, and so were largely untouched.
The Van Graffs, of course, cared little and managed to run a single undercover mine to smuggle in Serios among other illegally obtained metals and crystals into Orario. Evilus was one of their prime buyers. At least until Ryuu destroyed many of their warehouses while also anonymously leaking sensitive documents to the authorities that proved the Van Graff's crimes. The Van Graff's organization collapsed at the combination of losing so much material wealth while also getting punitive and legal fines from the Guild. Those of the Van Graff Family that Ryuu hadn't killed, due to not being in Orario at the time, quickly found themselves lynched by elves in a foreign land. Ryuu felt little pity for them then, nor did she feel any for them now.
Coming close to the warehouse in question, it was like Ryuu remembered it. Completely inconspicuous… if you ignore the fact that several 'loiterers' just so happened to be hanging around the building in one of the few places protected from the rain.
People outside in this weather and time of night? Those disguised men were just guards trying to blend in with their environment as fellow homeless people just looking for a place to stay dry. Either way, they should consider themselves lucky that Ryuu had no intention of taking their lives like she would have during her rampage.
Ryuu raised her mask as she approached, recognizing that a little subterfuge would only do her good. And having made little effort to try and hide her presence, Ryuu was quickly spotted by the guards through the pouring rain. Her status as an adventurer must have been quite readily apparent, because the men didn't even bother to pretend to blend in or ask questions. Instead, they started pulling out daggers from their persons or revealing swords behind barrels.
It would seem that the guards too were well aware of what time it was and what the weather was like. Anyone showing up to this warehouse uninvited was only looking for trouble. And they'd be right.
'Five of them,' Ryuu noted to herself, 'Weak.'
Ryuu figured these men were at most Level 2. It was almost sad how pathetic they were in Ryuu's eyes. Ryuu didn't even bother pulling out her own short sword. She wouldn't need it.
Two of the armed men grumbled as they stepped out into the rain to meet her. Weapons drawn, their violent intent didn't need any explanation. They intended to kill a nosey elf and dump her lifeless body into the sewers where it will never be seen again. Likely after desecrating her corpse with depravities.
The script was not going to go that way, however.
Before the men could react, Ryuu crouched down and laid palm strikes into their abdomens simultaneously, causing the men to hunch over in pain as literally all the air in their lungs was forcibly expelled. Ryuu stood back up, grabbed their heads and smashed them together before tossing the men aside.
Within a second, the men were sprawled on the water-logged streets unconscious, and likely with brand new concussions if not cracked skulls and broken ribs.
The other guards hadn't even seen Ryuu move. One moment, two of their boys were going to teach a random elf girl a lesson about not being where she belonged, and the next their boys were on the ground out cold.
Their brains quickly did the calculus on whether they were more afraid of Van Graff sending people after them and their families for running or of the elf right in front of them. And all three chose that the elf was more terrifying. Which was the correct choice, for all the good it would do them.
The three men turned to run. Two of them went down towards a nearby alley while the remaining man made to run down the street.
They wouldn't get far.
Ryuu leapt and landed behind the closest of the two men. Grabbing the back of his shirt with one hand, Ryuu pulled him back before kneeing him in the torso. Ryuu then caught the man's knife with one hand as she then threw the, now unconscious, man into the runner in the alleyway.
Without looking, she then threw the dagger at the third man who fled in a different direction. A moment later, a yelp of pain could be heard through the rain as Ryuu's unguided aim hit its mark. Nodding in satisfaction, Ryuu stalked down the alleyway and kicked the man trapped under his unconscious comrade in the face. She then dragged the two men back into the street.
Looking for the last man, she saw him attempting to crawl and get back to his feet. Ryuu, in no rush, stalked over to the man and kicked him in the shin, knocking him back to the ground. Ryuu then bent down, pulled out the knife from the man's shoulder before bonking him on the head with the pommel of the knife.
Feeling slightly merciful, Ryuu quickly sang a hymn of healing, closing up the knife wound on the unconscious man before tossing him into a pile with the other guards.
Feeling bored, Ryuu sighed before making her way into the warehouse proper. She wasn't sure whether to hope that the men inside the building had heard the scuffle over the sound of the storm or not.
They hadn't.
Upon entering the building, Ryuu encountered another five guards who were as easily neutralized as the men outside had been.
The defenders taken care of, Ryuu began to inspect the facility for evidence and to take stock of the ill-gotten goods.
Indeed, the warehouse was full of Serios with at least one chest filled with magical crystals used in the creation of staffs for mages. There was also a concerning amount of Adamantite and Oricalchum.
Ryuu wondered for a moment why the Van Graffs were storing a legal material like those metals here. Before realizing they must have been one of Evilus' suppliers of those metals for the construction of Knossos on behalf of the Daedalus bloodline. That and/or the metal had simply been stolen and was thus not able to be held in more on legal properties.
With that deduction out of the way, Ryuu focused on recovering any evidence and documents pointing to other facilities – just in case the Van Graff's had different sites a few years before her initial investigations of them.
Ryuu would never cease to be amused at how criminals kept so much paperwork about their illegal activities. It was very convenient for her purposes.
After half an hour, Ryuu managed to find enough incriminating documents to make a lawyer cackle in glee.
Unfortunately, the Van Graff's weren't completely stupid. All the documents Ryuu had found could likely be attributed to some lower ranked lieutenant in the organization. And thus waved away as a lower level employee engaging in corruption and that it wasn't inherent of the entire company.
In any case, Ryuu secured the documents before grabbing some rope and a small bag. Into the bag she placed several chunks of Serios, Oricalchum, and magic crystals. These ill gotten goods might as well be used to fix the problem of Ryuu not having a weapon able to endure her strength and power.
Ryuu's first instinct was to torch the place. But she figured the resources kept here could be put to better use in the hands of the blacksmithing Familias and the Guild in the fight against Evilus. So Ryuu would leave the guards, the documents, and directions outside the Ganesha Familia home.
After she raided the last two facilities in the district, as pointed out in the documents, anyway. Wouldn't want to give the Van Graff's a chance to relocate, now did she?
Ryuu sighed, "This will be a long night…"
Guards around the Ganesha Familia home would be shocked to suddenly discover a pile of roughly thirty men tied up in bundles on their doorstep at dawn. The men had all been beaten and had clearly been dragged around the city considering the skid marks and how the rope had tied them together.
With them were documents of incriminating evidence for the Van Graff's Trading Corps as well as the locations of their illegal warehouses.
As if leaving a calling card, a single, small red bell had been left behind for no other apparent rhyme or reason.
"…" and Ardi Varmas, standing next to her sister before the pile of evidence said nothing. Only giving a knowing smile to no one in particular.
Ryuu returned to the Stardust Garden shortly after dawn. The storm had finally let up by that point. She was, of course, hoping to not let on the fact that she went about being a vigilante all be her lonesome. Not so much because she didn't trust the girls to have her back. It was just… Ryuu wasn't used to working with others anymore. Not after losing her Hero…
No, Ryuu just knew she was being petty and childish. Only wanting Bell to be the one to fight alongside her. It was stupid, especially since she knew that he was just a 7 year old kid trying to enjoy his childhood out in the mountains right now. He wouldn't be able to be a part of her life again in some manner for another 7 years. Despite this, Ryuu couldn't help but be selfish. Couldn't just sit still and rest when there was so much that needed to be done to defeat Evilus conclusively.
Ryuu was brought out of her thoughts, however, as she entered the property.
"Yo," The voice of Lyra casually called out, leaning against a nearby wall.
"Lyra…" Ryuu said quietly, somehow surprised and unsurprised to have been caught red-handed by previously the most roguish of the Familia. "Why…?"
"Alise warned us all that you would probably be more stubborn and chaotic than normal," Lyra said in amusement, "I figured you'd be out fighting the good fight."
"So you… just waited for me here?" Ryuu asked.
"Nah, I was gonna follow you," Lyra admitted, "But held off when I saw you leave with Alise. I had been about to turn in for the night when you guys came back, but I noticed you hadn't gone to your room."
Lyra then shrugged, "I'll admit, you snuck by me. I didn't see you leave and had no idea where you'd gone. Figured that if you could pull that off then any sorry bastards you ran into wouldn't know what hit them either."
Ryuu couldn't help but smile lightly, "You are as perceptive as I remember."
"Well, that sounds morbid," Lyra chuckled darkly, having instantly interpreted Ryuu's words to suggest that her future wasn't a long or pleasant one.
"I may not have chosen to return to the past. And would anyone do so for good reasons if they did?" Ryuu argued rhetorically, a wry and tired grin on her face.
"Yeah, I suppose a happy person would have no reason to upend being surrounded by friends and family," Lyra replied nonchalantly. She then said, "I consider myself lucky to have made it this long to be honest. Though I have no intentions on rolling over and croaking without a fight you hear?"
Ryuu closed her eyes, smiling bitterly as she remembered how Lyra did indeed go down fighting. Her eyes blinded by Celty's rebounded lightning magic, as if the universe was punishing Lyra by taking away her greatest asset; not just as a Pallum, but for taking those eyes that easily saw through all of their enemy's weaknesses time and time again.
The slaughter of Astraea Familia flashed through Ryuu's head once again in vivid detail. Ryuu would never forget the sight. Could never. Even if that reality was now, ironically, just a dream.
Ryuu opened her eyes, looking at Lyra directly. Lyra paled, flinching under the sheer despair in Ryuu's darkening blue eyes. Which… was saying something. Lyra's childhood was essentially the exact opposite of 'happy'.
"Yes…" Ryuu chuckled hoarsely, "A dark future lies ahead…"
Ryuu couldn't help but recall how much of her life was filled with her wallowing in despair. And pain. And loneliness. She had no place or purpose with the extreme-xenophobes that were her home tribe. She lost dear friends in the fight against Evilus. Her heart was tested by Erebus and his evil scheme. Her friends were massacred by a freak accident. Who knows how many innocent people she killed in her rampaging Crusade? Directly or indirectly?
Through no fault of their own, Syr and the girls of the Hostess had not been enough on their own to save Ryuu's soul. For 7 long years, Ryuu lived and breathed darkness and despair. Hidden under a cool calm lest she once again rampage in the streets and alleyways before finally dropping dead to join Alise and the others in the grave…
"For me right now, justice is… returning alive with you… The people who cared about you fought because they wanted you to live… Even an idiot like me can see that. If you died now, Alise and the rest would definitely be mad," the words of her Hero echoed in her head, and just like that the darkness in Ryuu's heart washed away as she was saved once again.
This was how Ryuu managed to continue fighting all those months when Bell had left her alone again. How Ryuu kept on fighting despite how hopeless the world had become. Because her memory of Bell refused to let her give up on herself ever again. Because even in death, Bell kept on saving her.
Ryuu's smile turned sweet, and her eyes returned to bright, shining sapphires.
"...Which is why I will do everything in my power to change that dark fate," Ryuu amended confidently, "Whether you ask for it or not, all the same I will save you. And everyone. I promise."
Lyra blinked, before grinning in amusement and chuckling.
"Hmm? What?" Ryuu asked in confusion.
"Nothing," Lyra said, still smiling wildly, "Just amazed you can still say corny stuff like that."
"Lyraaa" Ryuu groaned.
"I had to believe it after seeing that duel," Lyra said, explaining what convinced her of Ryuu's claim of time travel, "But now I know… despite whatever hell you came from, you're still the Lion we all know and love."
Ryuu felt her cheeks light up, "And you made fun of me for saying 'corny' things…"
Lyra laughed at Ryuu's pouting expression.
"Geez…" Ryuu sighed in mock complaint, before a thought came to mind and she got serious, "Lyra…"
"Hmm? What's up?" Lyra asked, catching onto the mood.
"If you aren't busy, I could use your assistance today," Ryuu asked politely.
"Not planning on sleeping huh… Sure, I have no problem joining you on patrol," Lyra replied, apparently finding amusement in Ryuu's decision to skip a night of sleep. "What do ya need?"
"I'm looking to pick your brain for a second opinion on a plan of mine," Ryuu explained, "The reactionary strategy of dealing with the Evils will never work. The fight has to be taken to them."
"You're not wrong" Lyra said with a raised eyebrow and dubious grin, "But that's something easier said than done. What, you know their headquarters or something?"
"Believe me or not if you will, but either way we must draw out the enemy before we can attack their base," Ryuu said simply, taking no offense to Lyra's doubts on her time travel.
"Fair enough," Lyra responded, shrugging her shoulders, "I'll hear you out later and give you some feedback after breakfast."
"That will do," Ryuu confirmed, agreeing to the time.
"Sounds like a plan!" Lyra said with a huff as she pushed off of the wall. Starting to walk back inside, she waved over her shoulder and said, "I'll leave it to you to explain to Alise why you've broken the buddy system rule she came up with!"
Ryuu felt her skin pale. Attempting to argue with Alise only ever ended in unwanted and compulsory mischief and cuddling. Wait. No wonder Ryuu had always gotten along with Syr…
Ryuu flinched, her eyes saddening as she looked in the direction of Babel Tower, remembering a friend who had given her so much both good and bad. "…I'll save you too," Ryuu whispered a promise to herself before proceeding to walk inside to eat breakfast.
From atop Babel Tower, the Goddess of Beauty looked down on the city. But her gaze was not perceiving the architectural beauty of the city, and instead was looking at a specific Familia home. Where a green soul shined as brightly as the brightest star in the night sky. Where a green soul was blacker than the largest black hole in the cosmos. Where the white flame of hope waged an eternal battle against the purple flames of despair and rage.
Freya was absolutely enraptured. She found herself panting in excitement, her poor human body raising in temperature in response to her emotional state. She placed her delicate hands against the glass holding her back, as if to desperately reach out to that bright light — to that eternal void.
"How did I not see it before now…?" Freya asked herself in wonder. "That elf was beautiful before now as she was…! She changed so completely… so utterly… so quickly! I've never seen anything like it before!"
Freya was smitten. She had loved the looks of Astraea's children as it was. Her respect for the virgin Goddess of Justice was the main thing keeping Freya back from poaching them for herself. Astraea was not immune to Freya's charm, but was resistant enough to hold conversations that Freya could trust to be genuine. The only one kinder and more true to Freya than Astraea was…
"…? How strange…" Freya uttered in confusion, "How could I possibly forget someone I trusted to be genuine with me?"
Freya was one of the most intelligent beings in existence — not the smartest, but she was high on the list. For Freya to forget someone that certainly meant much to her was not possible. Unless…
Freya returned her gaze to the brightest and darkest green soul. But this time in deep contemplation. "Surely… how…?"
Freya was silent for a moment, deep in thought and contemplation. And then she smirked, "How interesting! And just when you think the Lower World has no more to offer, it proves you wrong again and again. Yes, this is something to investigate. Yes… perhaps this calls for 'Syr'…"
And that was how Ryuu had garnered the attention of Freya within 24 hours of her Return.
"Eeek!" Bell yelped as he dived and hid inside a pile of hay. His eyes shuck violently as he heard the gaggle of scurrying feet race by his position. The giggling of young, pre-pubescent girls caused him to shudder silently.
"Where'd Bell-chan go?!" "So fast and mysterious! Kyaaa~!" "That rabbit's mine to cuddle!" "No way!"
Bell will never understand women. All he knows is that they are scary. Of course, he knows that there is sweetness and tenderness and kindness to be found behind that scariness — his Wife being a prime example. But the way those children looked at him while he was brooding was absolutely terrifying.
The reason for Bell's brooding was rather important and not funny at all. Bell had tried explaining to his Grampa about how he must have traveled back to the past somehow, but Gramps wasn't hearing any of it. No matter how much Bell proclaimed otherwise, Gramps just insisted that Bell had a very vivid dream and that was it. Of course, pointing out that Bell knew that Gramps was the God Zeus would have probably been excellent evidence in Bell's favor.
But Bell hadn't revealed that detail. Perhaps he was bitter about being lied to so cruelly about Gramps' apparent death by monsters. Perhaps Bell simply wanted to pretend that Hermes had lied to him about Gramps' true identity. Perhaps it was both. Either way, the most Bell got Gramps to admit was that 'perhaps' Bell had a prophetic dream.
'After all,' Gramps had said to Bell then, 'Why can you not remember what Familia you were supposedly part of anyhow? You just have an active imagination my boy. But might I say! I knew you'd have excellent taste in women!'
And Bell couldn't refute that point. For some reason the name and very appearance of his Goddess alluded him. Well, mostly. Bell could remember that his deity was a Goddess, was shorter than him, and had big, er, assets. He remembered almost everything she had said to him, how much she cared for him. But somehow her name and face refused to come to him. And that was the main reason he brooded. Mourning the fact he lost something so precious to him.
And apparently something about Bell's appearance caused the local girls to go crazy for him. Even teenagers were running after him! It was only Bell's adventurer instincts that allowed him to evade them without a Falna of his own! Only his WIFE is allowed to take his newfound chastity again, thank you very much!
Speaking of which, he needed to get to Orario if he wanted to see her again! Even if she didn't remember him, he remembered her! And it was Justice to make sure that she was happy above all! Something he… failed to do. Because he knew how much watching him sacrifice himself for her would hurt her. But he didn't regret it, because Bell knew that if anyone could snatch Justice and peace from the jaws of defeat it was his Wife. Though, he must admit, that time travel was not exactly what he had envisioned but it worked well enough as far as he was concerned.
Anyway! The point was that Bell needed to get to his Wife. Orario was a dangerous place and she needed all the support she could get! And… well… he missed her… He missed everyone else too, of course! But, you know, it was different!
But there was a problem. Bell was weak without his Falna. And the way to Orario wasn't safe; what with all the monsters, brigands, and the odd Evilus goon outside the walls of the great city. Without his Falna, he was just another 7 year old. Making the journey to Orario would be difficult to put it mildly.
Assuming Bell spilled the beans, he could get Zeus' Falna. But then he wouldn't be allowed inside Orario since Zeus Familia was exiled. And while it might be possible for Zeus to apply a Falna, hide it's existence, and leave him open to Conversion… that didn't seem likely. Speaking of getting past Orario's walls, somehow Bell doubted that if he could even get to the walls that an orphaned country-bumpkin would be allowed in to contribute to the humanitarian crisis caused by Evilus. Which, in a way, made getting a Falna even more desirable so that he may have an easier chance of being able to sneak past the walls.
But he didn't want Zeus' Falna. He wanted to be part of his Wife's Familia if he couldn't join his original Familia!
This sucks… he could really use some help. He simply doesn't have any option that won't result in him dying mid-journey. Bell was a reckless idiot, but even he knew that the journey as he was now was just impossible.
Perhaps a few weeks of physical training would do the trick? That had been enough for Bell so deal with those flame monsters on the outskirts of Olympia after all…
The sound of girls' giggling brought Bell back to his surroundings.
…and it looks like the girls of his hometown will be willing training partners — for his agility anyway. Bell just wishes they were a little less… enthusiastic.
Author's Notes:
Ryuu's charisma stat is jacked, shame that doesn't appear on her character sheet lol. Then again, Lili is really young and lonely and is still developing her cynicism, so Ryuu has a much easier time winning her over imo.
Sorry, I don't like Finn, and so he gets heat from me. Don't worry Loki Familia lovers, basically everyone else is fine at this point in the timeline. It's just Finn I have beef with.
Ryuu wants a key to Knossos. Who is she gonna try to lure out to steal one from? This is difficult since keys are usually not taken outside of Knossos, instead the forces of Evilus tend to have people posted at the doors to let people in and out. In my opinion, the best bet is to get someone extremely angry with her so that they rush out of Knossos, taking a key with them…
I'm aware that we now have confirmation of how Ryuu's Astrae Varmas Skill works. Let's just say I'm going to make those aspects of the Skill into something of a plot point in this story. And I've already considered how to retcon the issue for Transmigration LOL
Lyra is something of a monster of logic, in a way. Ryuu's sudden improvements in both combat, stealth, and emotional strength are too great to be something normal or natural. Combined with Astraea's assurances, Lyra is the second of the girls to be completely convinced, right behind Alise. Kaguya still has doubts, but is more convinced than not. The other girls are still on the fence, confused, and thus are distant.
P.S. We've now caught up on everything I've written for this story thus far. I plan on finally finishing off the latest chapter of Transmigration with the aim of posting it the beginning of November. Assuming life doesn't screw me over out of nowhere of course.
P.P.S. Don't flood the reviews about it, but give your best wishes to IreJasmine whose health hasn't been great lately.